
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kutt, A. S. 
A1  - Thurgate, N. Y. 
A1  - Hannah, D. S. 
T1  - Distribution and habitat of the desert mouse (<emph type="2">Pseudomys desertor</emph>) in Queensland
JF  - Wildlife Research
JO  - Wildl. Res.
Y1  - 2004
VL  - 31
IS  - 2
SP  - 129
EP  - 142
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/WR02005 
N2  - Two systematic regional fauna surveys conducted in the central-north of the state, and an ancillary review of existing published data, identified many new localities and provided an opportunity to describe aspects of this species&#39; ecology and habitat. As well as in typical Triodia grasslands, Pseudomys desertor was recorded in a wide range of sub-tropical savanna woodland, shrubland and grassland vegetation types, many within a zone with rainfall of 500&#8211;750 mm. In these higher-rainfall areas, average bodyweight was significantly larger than previously reported for arid-zone specimens. Generalised linear modelling was used to examine which environmental factors best explained the species&#39; abundance, and ground cover was a consistent predictor across the two study areas. Despite occurring in sites mechanically cleared of trees, P. desertor was more abundant in those pastures with a high cover of native hummock grasses. Though superficially indicating a degree of tolerance of disturbance, the evidence suggests that P. desertor is a fire- and grazing-decreaser. Overall, P. desertor was most abundant in areas with the least historical grazing pressure and disturbance. 
ER  -

